Ambrose and Transubstantiation

Q. Did Ambrose advocate the Roman dogma of transubstantiation?

 

Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (c. 340-397 A.D.):

But perhaps thou sayest, “I do not see the appearance of blood.” But it has the likeness; for as thou hast taken the likeness [similitudinem] of the death, so also thou drinkest the likeness [similitudinem] of the precious blood, that there may be no shrinking from actual blood, and yet the price of redemption may effect its work. Thou hast learnt, therefore, that what thou receivest is the body of Christ. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1843], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XVI, De Sacramentis, Lib. IV, Caput IV, § 20, Col. 443). Here See (Ambrose, On the Mysteries and the Treatise on the Sacraments, trans. T. Thompson, ed. James Herbert Strawley, [1919], Bk. IV, Ch. IV, § 20, p. 113). Here 

Alternate Translation:

But perhaps you say, I do not see the substance of blood. Yet it has a likeness: for as you received the likeness of His death, so also you drink the likeness of His precious blood, that there may be no horror at blood, and yet the price of our redemption might work. You have learnt, therefore, that what you receive is the body of Christ. 

(J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 190). Here confer Cf.

…therefore thou receivest the sacrament in a similitude [similitudinem]... 

(Ambrose, On the Mysteries and the Treatise on the Sacraments, Translator: T. Thompson, B.D., Editor: James Herbert Strawley, [1919], Bk. VI, Ch. I, § 3, p. 130). Here 

If, therefore, there is such power in the word of the Lord Jesus, that the things which were not began to be, how much more is it effective, that things previously existing should, without ceasing to exist, be changed into something else [ut sint quae erant et in aliud commutentur]?

(Ambrose, On the Mysteries and the Treatise on the Sacraments, trans. T. Thompson, ed. James Herbert Strawley, [1919], Bk. IV, Ch. IV, § 15, p. 110). Here

Wilt thou know that it is consecrated by heavenly words? Hear what the words are. The priest speaks. “Make for us,” he says, “this oblation approved, ratified, reasonable, acceptable, seeing that it is the figure [figura] of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(Ambrose, On the Mysteries and the Treatise on the Sacraments, Translator: T. Thompson, B.D., Editor: James Herbert Strawley, [1919], Bk. IV, Ch. V, § 21, p. 113). Here 

Very justly she is forbidden to touch Christ; for we touch not Christ with bodily touch, but with faith. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 155, Col. 1843). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 208). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 155, Col. 1936). Here 

Thou didst indeed descend, O Son of man, nor when thou descendest wast thou absent from the Father: but Thou descendest to us, that we might see Thee with our eyes and minds, that we might believe in Thee. Therefore Thou hast ascended from us also, that we might likewise follow Thee with our minds, whom we cannot see with our eyes. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 159, Col. 1843). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 208). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 159, Col. 1937). Here 

First, therefore, the shadow preceded, the image followed, the truth will be. The shadow in the Law, the image in the Gospel, the truth in heaven. —And He indeed assists us before the Father as our Advocate: but now we see Him not; then we shall see Him, when the image shall pass away, when the truth shall come. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1882], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XIV, S. Ambrosii, Enarratio In Psalmum XXXVIII, § 25, Col. 1101). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 216). Here

Ascend, therefore, O man, into heaven, and you shall see those things of which here there was a shadow or image. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1882], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XIV, S. Ambrosii, Enarratio In Psalmum XXXVIII, § 26, Col. 1102). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 216). Here

John Ch. 6:

Let us have a guess as to who these eagles may be, and then we might arrive at discovering what is meant by "the body." …Having identified the "eagles" we should have no difficulty in discovering who is meant by the "body." All the more so when we recall how Joseph was given Christ's body by Pilate (cf. Jn 19:38). …We can consider "body" in another sense. Remember how the Lord said "My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink" (Jn 6:56). …The Church, too, is a body.

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. VIII, § 55-56, Col. 1781-1782). Here (Commentary of Saint Ambrose on the Gospel according to Saint Luke, trans. Íde M. Ní Riain, [Halcyon Press, 2001], Commentary on Saint Luke's Gospel, Book 8.55-56, Commenting on Luke 17:37, pp. 288-289). See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Expositio Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. VIII, § 55-56, Col. 1872-1873). Here 

Full:

Let us have a guess as to who these eagles may be, and then we might arrive at discovering what is meant by “the body”. The souls of the just are compared to eagles. They aim for the heights, leave behind them plains, and reach — we are told — a great age. This is why David says to his soul: “Your youth shall be renewed like that of the eagle” (Ps 102:3). Having Identified the “eagles” we should have no difficulty in discovering who is meant by the “body”. All the more so when we recall how Joseph was given Christ's body by Pilate (cf.Jn 19:38).

Now don't you see the eagles about the Body? There is Mary, wife of Cleophas, Mary Magdalen, and Mary, Mother Of the Lord; and there is the group of apostles. These all surround the tomb of the Lord. You see, do you not, the eagles all about the Body when the Son of Man returns on celestial clouds? And then, “all eyes shall see Him, and they shall look on Him whom they have pierced” (RV 1:7).

We can consider “body” in another sense. Remember how the Lord said: “My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink” (Jn 6:56). Around this Body there are eagles. They encircle it, flying on wings of the spirit. Around this Body are eagles who truly believe that Jesus has come in the flesh; for “every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (l Jn 4:2). Wherever you have the faith, you have the mystery, you have the hearth and home of sanctity.

The Church, too, is a body. In her, the grace of baptism gives us spiritual renewal. In her, those declining into old age take on fresh youth and a new life.

Ibid.

For we have the true bread, that bread which came down from heaven. He eats that bread who keeps those things which have been written.

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. VII, § 3, Col. 1699). Here Trans. (John Harrison, An Answer to Dr. Pusey's Challenge Respecting the Doctrine of the Real Presence, [London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1871], p. 76). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Expositio Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. VII, § 3, Col. 1786-1787). Here 

Christ is touched by faith, Christ is seen by faith; he is not touched by the body, he is not comprehended by the eyes; 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. VI, § 57, Col. 1683). Here Trans. (William Goode, The Nature of Christ's Presence in the Eucharist, Volume 1, [1856], p. 420). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. VI, § 57, Col. 1769). Here 

Therefore, not upon earth, nor in the earth, nor after the flesh ought we to seek Thee, if we would find Thee: for now we know Christ no longer after the flesh. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 160, Col. 1844). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 208). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 160, Col. 1937). Here 

See Also:

Therefore we ought not to seek thee on the earth, nor in the earth, nor according to the flesh, if we wish to find thee; for now we have not known Christ after the flesh. 

(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Sancti Ambrosii, Expositio Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 160, Col. 1844). Here Trans. (William Goode, The Nature of Christ's Presence in the Eucharist, Volume I, [1856], p. 320). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Expositio Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 160, Col. 1937). Here 

~ Soli Deo Gloria